Switch for signaling systems for automotive vehicles



Nov. 8, 1932. B. L. BoBRor-'F SWITCH FOR SIGNALING SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Filed Nov. l2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheei gru/vento ma y 4/ Nw 5 anni NOV. 8, 1932. B, L, BOBROFF SWITCH FOR SIGNALING SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Filed Nov. l2, 1930 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 8, 1932 BRNETT L. BOBRFF, F RACINE, WISCONSXN SFITCE "EGR SIGNALING SYSTEMS FR AUTOMTVE VEHILES Application led November 12, 1930. Serial No. 495,148..

This invention relates to a signal switch j construction for automotive vehicles.

bjects of this invention are to provide a horn button signal switch which is so constructed that the same member serves both as a horn button and signal, or direction switch, and may be mounted centrally of the steering wheel. y

Further objects are to providea combined horn button and signal switch in which a single button is employed both as the horn button and as the operating member for the signal switch, which may be depressed by the hand of the driver to sound the horn, which may be rocked to the right or left to give the appropriate signal, which harmonizes perfectly with the associated parts and in which p the 'signal switch mechanism is completely inclosed or housed without any external mani'- festation of its presence. ln driving automotive vehicles the driver is frequently required to sound the horn suddenly and he usually depresses the horn button, not with a gentle push, but with a blow of his hand. In signal switch construction it is imperative that the signal be not accidentally or unintentionally given when the operator strikes the horn button, only when he deliberately rocks the switch to a signal position.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a combined horn button and signal switch which is so constructed that the rocking member is securely releasably held \in neutral postion or in either signal position so as to guard against accidental operation when it is` only intended to sound the horn, which permits violent and repeated operation of the device without damage or excessive wear, which is of sturdy and rugged construction and which is compact and of relatively small size so that an attractive and pleasing construction results.

In greater detaihobjects of this invention 45 are to provide a signalswitch in which a body portion carrying the signal switch mechanism is provided and is carried by a surrounding housing shell,

member is also housed 5 within the shell and preferably provided with a protecting metal but in which a base or terminal.

base plate held in spaced relation to the terminal members, and in which the shell and body portion are readily slidable downwardly towards the base member, such base member preferably carrying the horn circuit contacts which `are closed during this downward motion of the shell and body portion. Further objects are to provide aconstruction in which the base member may be completely wired up, and in which the ,mech'a- 60 nisin of the switch is electrically connected to' the termina-l members of 'the base by yielding means, such as spring plungers, thereby permitting the removal or replacement of the shell or body portion as a unit without disturbing any wiring.

Further objects are to provide a construction in which the'movable and stationary contacts of the signal switch remain the same distance apart when the device is depresed to T sound the horn, and in which means are provided for insuring a certain contact between the stationary and movable contacts when the sivnal switch is operatedu more specifically, objects of this invention are to provide a novel form of contact for signal switchesin which the stationary contacts are provided with spring pressed plungers which are depressed and engaged by the movable contact which, itself, may be made yyielding if desired, thereby double insuring a good yieldingly pressed contact mechanism which is positive and reliable in operation.

A further specific obj ect of this invention is to provide a novel form of stationary contact in which a movable plunger projects outwardly at one end for engagement with'the movable contact and a second plunger projects outwardly at the other dend for establishing a connection with` a terminal member,

a single spring urging said plungers apart.

An embodiment ofthe invention is :shown `in the accompanying drawings, in which vertical sectional view such view corresponding line 1--1 of Figures 3 Figure 1 is a. through the device, to a section on the and 4. I

Figure 2 isa sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 3. v

view on line 3 3 of but-ton and signal switch is mounted centrally of the steering Wheel.

The device combines a shell 2, which may be formed of bakelite o r vother insulating material. lVithin this shell a body portion 3, also of bakelite, is positioned. This body portion carries a pair of stationary contact members, each of which, as may be seen from Figure 1, consists of a shell or sleeve 4 formed of metal and having a rough or knurled exterior. These shells are moulded within the bakelite body portion 3 as shown in Figure 1 and each houses an upper contact switch plunger 5 and a lower connector plunger 6. Preferably the upper plunger is provided with av head 7 which prevents its complete removal upwardly from the metal vsleeve 4.

A single spring 8 is carried' Within each .sleeve and bears at opposite ends against the plungers 5 and 6, thereby urging such plung-v ers out. The plunger 5 constitutes a stationary contact member and cooperates With the '.fclear ,that when the button 15 is rocked' latprovided with an plungers 5 and 6. These movable contact member 9 which preferably consists of a plurality of leaves of a somewhat springy metal, such as spring brass or other similar-material. f

The movable Contact member'9 is tightly clamped against a pivotedhead 10 which is upwardly projecting The contact member 9 of a clamping nut 12, preferably a lockwasher being provided bef tween the nut and the member 9. y

rl"he head 10`and integrally threaded stem 11 constitute a rocking leverwhich is carried bythe pivot 13.

The shell 3 is provided with a transverse slot 14 in its upper dome-shaped end through threaded shank 11. is clamped by means lwhich the stem 11 projects. A combined horn button and operating member 15 preferably formed of bakelite, is equipped with an internally threaded lmetal insert 16' which is screwed tightly upon the pin 11. i

From thedescription thus far, given it is erally that the movable contact member 9 engages one or the other of the spring pressedl plungers yieldingly maintain contact with the movable contact member 9 vwhen such member is rocked laterally. But if the plungers 5 should stick-or fail to operate, nevertheless the yieldingly movable contact member 9 would still yieldplunger and in which the body portion 3 is secured to the y shell 2. rlhis is most clearly shown in Figure 2, from which it will be seen that a metal strap 17 is provided and is equipped with two upwardly looped spaced portions 18, between which the head l0 of the rock lever is pivoted, the pin 13 being rigidly carried by these upwardly looped spaced portions 18. This strap is apertured at opposite ends and centrally of the horizontal'portion of the strap. Internally threaded sleeves 19 are embedded in lugs 20 formedintegrally with shell 2. Preferably the members 19y are roughened or knurled eXteriorly.

At one side of the apparatus a screw 21 extends through the body portion 3 and through one end of the strap 17 and is screwed into the appropriate member 19.

At the other side of the device as viewed in Figure 2, the threaded shank 22 of a connector fitting or plunger fitting 23, passes through the strap 17 and Ais screwed through the corresponding member 19.

This 4fitting 23 is provided with a downwardly extending plunger 24 which is urged downwardly bymeans of the spring 25. The

plunger 24 operates to conduct current to the engages a terminal member in a manner hereinafter tol appear.

In order to retain the rocking lever inv its neutral or in either extreme position, unless it is intentionally and positively moved by the operator, a latching member is provided. This latching member consists of a plunger 26 Whichis equipped with a V-shaped upper end as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The plunger 26 projects through the lower portion of the strap 17 as shown in 4Figures 1 and 2 and is provided with anv enlarged lower head against which the spring 27 bears, such spring being carried within a centrally formed recess in the body portion 3 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lever' has its head the upper end of the portion 10, see Fig-l This provides additional -is out or contact with such screws.

recorre length :tor the spring and also aids in maintaining the spring in position.

fl. base member 28 also termed oit balrelite is provided and is located within the shell. and below and spaced from the body portion 3 as shown Figures l and 2. llt is preerable to provide the shell 2 with internally projecting lugs or keys 29 which lit within corresponding slots Jformed in the body portion and in the base portion, such construc- -tion being most clearly seen in Figure 3. "l1 his insures correct assembly of the body portion 3 within the shell 2 and also prevents relative rotation orl the base 28 with respect to the shell 2. y

The base 28 is provided with three terminal members 30, see Figures l, 2 and 4, which are internally 'threaded andexteriorly roughened or lrnurled and moulded in place within -the base 28. These terminal members receive the attaching screws 3l which in turn clamp the conductors 32, 33 and 34 to the apn propriate terminal member 30.

ll`urtl1er,tl1e base 28 carries a centrally arranged stationary contact member 35, which is exteriorly roughened or knurled and molded in place within the base. This central contact member is centrally apertured and receives the end of the conductor .36 which is subsequently solderedV in place.

A lower metal base plate 37 is rigidly secured to the base member 28 by means or screws 38, see Figure 4. This base plate is spaced below the heads of the screws 3l and il leaf spring contact member 39 is riveted or otherwise secured to the base plate 37 as shown in Figure 2 and is looped upwardly over the central contact and positioned immediately below and in contact with the body portion 3 as shown in Figure 2. f

` F rom the description thus'ffar given it is apparent that the body portion 3 and the rigidly attached shell 2 will be depressed as whenever the driver presses downwardly on the button 15. rl`his downwardly motion of the body portion causes the leaf spring 39 to engage the central contact 35, and in a manner hereinafter to appear, thus closing the horn circuit and sounding the horn. However, it the driver rocks the button l5 laterally to right or left the supply conductor 32 is connected through the plunger 24 and the movable contact member 9 to one or other 'of the right or left signal contacts, and consequently to conductor 33 or 34 to thus correspondingly connect the right or left signal device such as a signal lamp to the Asource ofy supply such as the battery.

:it is also apparent that the signals cannot be inadvertently given, when it is merely intended to sound the horn for the reason that the spring pressed latching plunger 26 prevents inadvertent rocking of the button 4and ponsequently of the movable contact memer 9. Y l

The conductor 32 is connected to the live side or" the battery see Figure l.. The other side oit the battery is grounded in the usual manner. The conductor 86, leading to the central contact is connected to the horn 4l which is in turn connected to the battery as shown in Figure l. rlhe conductor 33 is connected to the right signal lamp 42 and the conductor 34 to the lett signal lamp 43.

These lamps are preferably arranged in pairs. lt is also preferable to arrange a right lett lamp on eachlside of the vehicle adjacent to the front and a right and left rlamp at the rear of the vehicle adj acent to the tail lamp as shown in my (3o-pending application S. N. 377,82l, led July l2, i929 i'ior signalling systems iter automotive vehicles.

Turning again to the detailed construction of the apparatus, particularly Figures4 and 5, it will be seen that the shell 2 is provided with a pair of metal inserts 44.J which are internally threaded. These metal inserts receive the screws 457 which in turn hold the washers 46m place. 'ilhe washers 46 overlap a portion of the base member 28 as shown in these i'igures and thus prevent the base member from moving completely outwardly from the device.

rEhe base plate 37 is preferably provided with cut-outs 47 to accommodate the heads of the screws as shown in Figure 4. lt is also preferable to provide internally threaded metal inserts 48, see Figure 6., which receives the screws 38.

ln assembling the device upon the steering 'mechanism oit the automotive vehicle it is preferable to seat the entire device within the upper cup-shaped plate 49 carried by the tubular gas7 spark, or light switch control rod 50 as shown in Figure l.- This control rod is, of course, formed of metal and grounded and consequently Lrgrounds the base plate 37.

rl`he entire device is thus merely seated within the cup-shaped member 49. .lt is held in place bv means of an adaptor or tinishing and retaining ring' 5l., form-ed of bakelite, sec Figure l. rl`his ring, is, in turn, held in place by means of screws 52 which eX- tend through such ring and into the cupshaped upper member 49 of the control rod.

lt will be seen that the' combined horn button and switch may be assembled as a unit without altering the standard automotive vehicle construction. i The ordinary horn button is removed and the switch unit placed in the cup-shaped member. Thereafter the retaining ringr 5l is secured in place 'by means of screws 52. f

lt is preferable to form a key 53 integrally upon the sleeve 2, see Figure l and form a key-way 54 in the ring `5l to prevent relative rotation of shell 2 and ring 51.

llO

It will be seen thatvthe shell 2 and the body portion 3 are held upwardly by means of the downwardly spring pressed plungers 6 and 24, which engage the corresponding terminal members' 30, and thus establish these several electric connections for the conductors.

` No wiring need pass through the body portion 3 as this construction whollyt eliminates such a necessity.

It will be seen that a very simple, compact and readily accessible combined horn button and signal switch mechanism has been provided by this invention. It will be seen `further that the device is of sturdy and ruggedA construction and is substantially fool-proof.` From actual practice it has been found that the device is easily assembled, inspected or repaired.

- Although the invention has beenr described inconsiderable detail, it is to be understood that this description is intended asillustrative rather than limiting as` the invention is to be interpreted asclaimed.

I claim:

l. In a signal switch, the combination of a movable contact member, and a stationary contact member, said stationary contact member, having a sleeve which can be en-A gaged by said movable contact member and having aspring pressed plunger normally engaged by said movable contact member, when said movable contact member is moved towards said stationary contact member, said movable contact member being adapted for rocking motion a distance to engage said sleeve in the event that said plunger does not function.

2. In asignal switch, the combination of a f yielding, movable contact, and a stationary position, ametal latching means for temporarily holding saidmovable contact member in either side position or in neutral position, a pair of side stationary lcontact members adapted to be selectively 'engaged by said movable contact member when said movable contact member is rocked, saidV stationary y contacts each comprising a metal body portion adapted to be engaged by said movable contact member, and a metal, spring-pressed plunger adapted to be engaged by said movable contact member, whereby if a plunger should fail' to move outwardly, said movable contact member will engage the metal body portion corresponding to such plunger.

4. In a signal switch, the combination of a pair of spaced stationary contacts each comprising a metal sleeve and a plunger carried by said sleeve and spring-pressed outwardly therefrom, a rocking operating member provided with a yielding movable contact for selectively engaging said stationary contacts and adapted to normally engage a plunger and to engage the corresponding sleeve if such plung-er tails to project outwardly from such sleeve, and latchingmeans for temporarily latching said operating member in either neutral position or in its rocked position.

5. In a signal switch, the combination of a shell of insulating material, a rocking contact member, pivotally mount-ed within said shell and having notches, a combined switch and horn button located exteriorly of said shell and connected to said rocking contact member, a metal, spring-pressed, locking plunger, cooperating with said notches to temporarily locl; said rocking contact member in any one of several positions, stationary contacts carriedwithin said shell for selective engagement by said rocking contact sleeve, the other of said plungers being freely slidable from said sleeve, and a terminal member abutting said last mentioned contactand restraining said last mentioned contact from passing from said sleeve.

7 In a signal switch, the combination of a movable contact member, a stationary contact member, and; a terminal connector, said stationary contact member comprising a metallic sleeve, a plunger rojecting from one end of said sleeve and a apted to be engaged by said movable contact, a plunger projecting from the other end of said sleeve for engaging said terminal member, and spring means within said sleeve urgingsaid plungers apart,Y

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is aflixed hereto.

I i BORNETT L. BOBROFF. 

